Odissi OverviewExplore and Discover
Odissi OverviewDiscover Odissi Dancing
Odissi is one of the ancient dance forms that originated in the temples of Odisha. It is marked with graceful postures, emotive facial expressions, bright costumes, and makeup. Odissi is a combination of tandava (masculine) and lasya (graceful) positions enhanced with fluid upper torso movements and graceful gestures balanced with strong footwork. The dancer uses intricate hand gestures to convey emotions, depict various characters, and tell stories. The versatile footwork complimenting the rhythm and music adds to the fluidity and expressiveness of the dance form.
The origins of Odissi dance are rooted in the temple of the famous Lord Jagannath temple in Puri, in praise of Lord Jagannath. Under British rule, the dance form was lost and then reconstructed by multiple Guru’s and scholars who have revived the art form to its present-day glory.
Odissi technique is comprised of two main postures, Chowka and Tribhangi. The chowka is a masculine position resembling a square stance very similar to the Hindu God Lord Jaganath. The tribhangi is a feminine position. Tribhanghi means three (tri) folds of the body (bhangi). A dancer performs with three distinct curve/folds on their body at neck, chest, and pelvis. Both postures utilize the torso movement, which is a controlled side to side fluid movement, like the waves washing along the beaches of Puri.
The study of Odissi dance is based on the Guru Shishya Parampara and is deeply rooted in Hinduism. The Guru not only spends time teaching dance, music, abhinaya but becomes a mentor and guide as you grow in dance and age. Learning requires a continued connection with dance Guru’s, mentors, scholars, and musicians. Odissi requires dedication, devotion and determination. It is simply not a mere form of entertainment but an art where literature, spirituality, culture, and tradition are woven into intricate dance steps and acting.
Odissi dance preserves and promotes the culture and stories of Orissa and India. It encompasses several attributes such as grace, poise, body movement, nimbleness in footwork, and the art of acting. And above all, it teaches the art of storytelling.